Do you know many dog owners often feel concerned about why their dog’s head feels hot? The majority of dog owners detect abnormal heat in their pet’s head, which makes them immediately concerned for their pet’s well-being. Is it a fever? An infection? Do dogs naturally display these temperatures as typical body functions? This blog explains the possible reasons behind your dog’s warm head while determining if the condition requires medical attention.
Normal Versus Abnormal Heat in Dogs
Depending on the rationale behind the hot head and whether its just a normal phenomenon or something unusual, the hot dog head meaning is inferred. The body temperature in healthy dogs falls somewhere between 101°F and 102.5°F. A slightly warm feel of their head during physical checkups might indicate no health problems. A medical issue may be present when your dog’s head temperature exceeds normal boundaries.
Common Reasons Behind Dog Head Hot Between Eyes
Natural Body Heat
Dogs maintain body temperature through different processes compared to human bodies. Their body functions slightly differently from human bodies because they do not release sweat from their skin. The heat escapes from dogs by way of paw pads, ears, and respiratory system. Natural heat regulation through the dog’s body could be the reason why its head may feel warmer than usual.
Fever or Infection
A hot dog head can signal an infectious condition because fever represents the main medical concern for this symptom. Dogs experience fever when their body temperature exceeds 103°F since it indicates possible infection or inflammation. Apart from the head, fever can also heat up the dog’s ear, and a fever above 106°F can even result in organ failure. Therefore, any signs of fatigue, appetite loss, or nasal discharge, together with a hot head, require veterinary attention for your dog.
Heat Exposure
When your dog spends time longer than usual in sunny conditions on a heated surface, then you can assess well why is the top of my dog’s head hot. The temperatures from direct heat exposure can cause your dog’s head to seem warmer than normal. For that reason, it is essential to give your dogs both shaded areas and a fresh water supply at all times.
Stress or Excitement
Most feline owners ask: “Why does my dog’s head get hot when I pet her?” The reason is that your dog displays similar blood circulation patterns as humans since both species blush when they feel excitement, in addition to nervousness or over-stimulation. This is partly why you often witness your dog’s head get hot upon a touch of love or a friendly pat.
Dehydration
Without sufficient water intake, your dog’s body temperature will start to rise. The signs of dehydration include a hot head, sunken eyes, lethargy, loss of skin elasticity, dry nose, and gums. It is for this reason most dog owners often say that their dog head is hot and nose is dry. You need to check whether your dog is consuming adequate water, especially during summer, so that its body temperature remains under balance. Supply them with water supply throughout the day because your dog will start showing signs of dehydration after 24 hours, and once the limit of two days passes by, they will become prone to an increased risk of vomiting and diarrhea due to dehydration.
Inflammatory Conditions or Allergies
Certain inflammatory conditions, along with allergic reactions, tend to raise body temperature. A dog suffering from itching and one who repeatedly scratches his head or displays any kind of swelling may suffer from allergic reactions and will have a head or body part temperature slightly higher than usual. For example, suppose your dog suffers from skin or ear bacterial or fungal infections such as pyoderma or ringworm. In that situation, they may exhibit redness, inflammation, itching, and increased temperature of the surrounding tissues. This hot sensation around the ears and head is more so the case in the case of ear infections.
Age or Circulatory Issues
Age-related heat in dogs commonly occurs in pets who reach their senior years. This may be the reason behind old dog head hot. Heat build-up in specific body parts or areas occurs in aging dogs because of the circulation issues that surface as they age.
Also Read: Can Dogs Get Mono From People?
When to Take Your Dog Head Seriously?
Your dog needs immediate veterinary attention if their head stays hot and there are also additional worrisome signs like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, shaking, or weakness. In this case, the need for a prompt veterinarian check-up should be your next step. Here are a few things that you can do as part of an old dog hot head treatment;
Blood Tests
Blood tests can be taken to determine why your dog’s head is getting hot. It will put to the table the signs of any infections or disruption within the body. Doctors may take a complete blood count (CBC) to assess the presence of infections or inflammatory conditions.
Imaging
Imaging techniques that involve X-rays or CT scans analyze in detail the dog’s head or neck area. Through this assessment method, dog owners can determine if there is any injury or abnormality that is becoming a reason for a dog’s hot head. If these imaging methods fail to detect the underlying causes behind your dog’s hot head, then an MRI may be conducted for a deeper examination of the condition.
Treatment of Dog Hot Head
Here are the ways you can treat your dog hot head;
- Always keep your dog’s head hydrated. Your dog must always have access to fresh, cool water available all day.
- Provide your dog with a cool environment. A damp, cold cloth gently applied to their head can help regulate their temperature when they feel too hot.
- Correct and measured doses of drugs, namely aspirin, can also help in heat mitigation in the body.
- Monitor the activity level of your dog. When your dog becomes too excited, they may develop a brief period of temperature elevation in their body. The hot head of a dog associated with such activity requires your dog to rest properly.
Also read: Effective Methods to Eliminate Pet Odours Quickly
